The 36 state governors said addressing the issue of state policing was capable of correcting existing fundamental flaws in the nation’s security framework.
They said the issue of state policing should be formally addressed through the ongoing process of amending the Constitution.
This formed part of the resolutions of the state executives at a virtual meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by NGF’s Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State, was made available on Thursday, March 21.
According to the communiqué, the governors “highlighted the need for state policing as a critical amendment in the ongoing 1999 constitutional amendment proceedings to correct a fundamental flaw in the national security architecture.”
They also identified some key conditions to be considered by the National Minimum Wage Committee (NMWC) before concluding on the issue of the minimum wage.
“Members reviewed the progress of the National Minimum Wage Committee (NMWC) and ongoing multi-stakeholder engagements towards agreeing on a fair minimum wage.
“Members urged the NMWC to consider the current realities, individual state peculiarities, and consequential impact on the capacity of the government as well as private sector employers to pay. Members also emphasized the need for proposals to be data-driven and evidence-based.”
The governors condemned the clash between two communities in Delta State, leading to the deaths of many, including soldiers.
“The forum commiserated with the Governor of Delta State, H.E Sheriff Oborevwori, over the communal clash between Okuama in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, which led to the deaths of many, including sixteen (16) military personnel. While condemning the heinous act, members observed a minute of silence for the souls of the departed.”
It added: “Members discussed the growing concern raised by the United States embassy over illegal and fraudulent intercountry adoption of Nigerian children by US citizens, including systemic fraud and corruption, child-buying, the imprisonment of pregnant women, and unreliable or non-existent documentation.
“Members pledged to engage the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government in a bid to address the situation.
“The Forum discussed the progress made by states in implementing various business enabling reforms, including those aimed at improving land administration, Public Private Partnership (PPP), investment promotion frameworks, business-enabling infrastructure, and regulatory environments, under the World Bank supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Program.
“Members were implored to leverage available support within the program in implementing related reforms to stimulate further economic growth.
“The forum received an update from the NGF Senior Health Advisor, Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab on the Health Sector Renewal Compact, the next round of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge and the UNICEF Child Nutrition Fund. Members restated their commitment to deliver on the requisite actions and reforms to achieve the objectives of the various initiatives.”